Nokia and Fibertime Accelerate Deployment of Fiber Broadband in Underserved Areas of South Africa

Nokia announced that Fibertimes will expand its fiber broadband coverage to an additional 400,000 households, with a focus on underserved communities in South Africa. This brings the company one step closer to its goal of connecting 2 million households by 2028. Fibertimes will utilize Nokia’s IP and fiber access technologies to build “semi-mobile” networks in underdeveloped regions, enabling users to enjoy unlimited high-speed internet access from any location, whether at home, in shops, or within communities.

According to the agreement, Fibertime will deploy Nokia Lightspan access nodes, Wi-Fi 6-enabled fiber optic access points, and utilize ONT Easy Start to automatically activate optical network terminals and streamline deployment processes. Additionally, the Nokia 7750 Wireless Access Gateway will be employed to generate a unified SSID across the entire township, enabling customers to seamlessly roam with their portable devices.

Fibertime CEO Danvig De Bruyn stated, “With Nokia’s support, we are significantly accelerating the deployment of low-cost, high-speed fiber-optic services in underserved townships in South Africa. Currently, we can connect 1,200 households daily, with speeds reaching up to 950 Mbps in some areas—no contracts or bank deductions required. Once a township is activated, users simply purchase vouchers at local convenience stores, retail shops, or mobile banking services, then enter the voucher code in the Fibertime™ App to instantly enjoy unlimited, unrestricted FTTH at just 5 Rand per day.”

To further achieve automation and scale expansion, fibertime will also deploy Nokia Altiplano and Network Services Platform, and activate the Altiplano Fiber Health Analyzer to proactively detect network anomalies and prevent fault escalation.

Danvig De Bruyn added: “Nokia’s automation and AI tools not only enhance operational efficiency but also improve FTTH reliability. We can detect faults earlier and resolve them faster, ultimately enhancing the user experience.”

Sandy Motley, President of Nokia’s Fixed Networks Business, stated: “Reliable broadband is the key to community prosperity, fueling education, healthcare, and local economies. However, the unique characteristics of residential areas leave too many people without internet access. With our fiber and IP solutions, we are transforming this landscape by serving thousands of users at once and reaching areas previously deemed difficult to access.”

The new agreement for an additional 400,000 households builds upon the previously announced FTTH collaborations in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Mangaung, and Stellenbosch between the two parties.